Looking to boost your work productivity? Start here:
- Trim the to-do list
- Aim for quality, not quantity
- Know your prime time for productivity
- Use ‘Do Not Disturb’
- Explore project apps
- Break down big projects
- Just say 'no'
- Closely monitor your online reading habits
- Take care of your health
- Mitigate meeting mania
- Give yourself a break
- Clean up your act
- Recondition your email reflexes
- Bring in reinforcements
- Reward yourself
Life in today’s workplace can feel like a never-ending race—emails constantly pinging, meetings piling up, and to-do lists that seem to grow no matter how much you get done. It’s no wonder so many workers are feeling exhausted, stretched thin, or even burned out. If you’ve found yourself staring at your screen wondering how you’re going to get everything done, let alone increase your work productivity, take a deep breath—you’re not alone.
The truth is, most of us aren’t just trying to be productive for the sake of it—we're doing our best to stay afloat, grow in our careers, and still have some energy left over for the things and people that matter outside of work. And that’s not easy. It takes more than motivation—it takes support, intention, and permission to slow down and reassess what’s working and what’s not.
Two of the most powerful ways to ease the pressure and boost your work productivity (without burning out) are by learning to manage your time more intentionally and reducing the distractions that pull you away from what really matters. These aren’t quick fixes or one-size-fits-all hacks—they’re habits you can build, one small step at a time, in a way that works for you.
So, in recognition of World Productivity Day (June 20), we’re not just here to throw more tasks on your plate. We’re here to help you simplify, refocus, and reclaim your day—on your terms. Whether you're juggling deadlines, managing a team, or trying to create space for personal growth, these 15 tips are designed to meet you where you are and support your journey toward a more manageable, fulfilling and productive workday.
Related: Stay up to date with workplace trends in our Salary Guide
1. Trim the to-do list
Too often, workers fall into the trap of overestimating what they can accomplish in a single day. It usually comes from a good place—ambition, commitment, the desire to do a great job. But when the to-do list is overflowing and the day doesn’t go as planned (as it often doesn’t), it can quickly lead to feelings of frustration, self-doubt, and burnout.
You might start the morning feeling hopeful and motivated, only to look at the clock in the afternoon and realize most of your list is untouched—not because you weren’t working hard, but because unexpected meetings popped up, urgent emails needed replies, or your brain just needed a break. This disconnect between expectations and reality can slowly chip away at your confidence and sense of accomplishment.
That’s why creating a shorter, more realistic to-do list is not a sign of slacking—it’s an act of self-respect. When you build your list with intention and kindness, leaving room for interruptions, mental resets, or surprise projects, you’re actually setting yourself up for greater work productivity and satisfaction. Instead of ending the day feeling behind, you’ll end it knowing you made steady, meaningful progress—and that counts.
So give yourself permission to scale back. Focus on what really needs your attention today, and trust that you don’t have to do everything to be effective. A focused mind is a powerful one—and sometimes, less really is more.
2. Aim for quality, not quantity
Let’s be honest—when everything feels urgent, it can be hard to choose where to begin, let alone stick with one thing until it's done.
Multitasking often seems like the smart solution—especially when the workload is heavy and deadlines are tight. It gives the illusion of work productivity: answering emails during meetings, flipping between projects, checking messages while writing reports. On the surface, it feels like you’re getting more done. But in reality, constantly switching between tasks is mentally exhausting and can significantly slow you down.
Each time you shift gears, your brain needs a moment to recalibrate. This process, called context switching, might only take seconds at a time, but over the course of a day, it adds up—leading to reduced focus, more mistakes, and even decision fatigue. You may find yourself feeling scattered, drained, or frustrated by how little you actually accomplished, even after a full day of effort.
But here’s the good news: focusing on one item at a time is a habit you can build. It doesn’t mean ignoring all other responsibilities; it means being present with the task in front of you and giving it your full attention, even for just 20 or 30 minutes. That focused time adds up—and often leads to better quality work, clearer thinking, and a greater sense of accomplishment.
So the next time you feel pulled in multiple directions, remember this tip and choose one task. Let everything else wait for just a little while. Work productivity isn’t about doing more! It’s about doing what is need first with your full attention.
3. Know your prime time for work productivity (“deep work”)
We all have a natural rhythm—a unique internal clock that influences when we feel most energised, focused, and clear-headed throughout the day. For some people, peak productivity hits early in the morning. For others, focus doesn’t kick in until later in the afternoon or even into the evening. Yet in a traditional workday, we often ignore these rhythms, trying to force ourselves into a rigid routine that doesn’t always match how we actually function.
But when you start paying attention to your internal clock—and aligning your work habits to match—you’ll likely notice a powerful shift in your work productivity and even your emotional well-being. Instead of battling brain fog or struggling to stay motivated, you’ll be working with your energy instead of against it.
That’s why it’s so valuable to reserve your most challenging or high-priority tasks for the time of day when you naturally feel most alert, sharp, and mentally capable. This is when you want to do “deep work”. The concept was coined by Cal Newport, a renowned author and computer science professor at Georgetown University. “Deep work refers to “Professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.” Whether that’s writing a report, solving a complex problem, or having an important conversation, those critical tasks in “deep work” deserve your best mental state—not the moments when you're drained or distracted.
Likewise, save less demanding or routine tasks—like responding to emails or organising files—for your lower-energy periods. Structuring your day around your personal productivity peaks will not only help you get more done, but you’ll also feel less stressed and more in control of your time.
You can achieve this by time blocking - a time management method where you divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to a specific task or group of tasks. You can organise this in a way that places our more ‘difficult’ time blocks at the time that you feel the most energised to tackle these tasks.
4. Use 'Do Not Disturb'
In a world buzzing with constant notifications, messages, and updates, staying focused has become one of the biggest challenges of modern work life. When you're trying to tackle a high-stakes assignment or deep work task, those tiny interruptions can chip away at your focus and, over time, lead to frustration and mental fatigue.
That’s why creating intentional space for focused work is one of the kindest things you can do for your work productivity—and your peace of mind. Start by turning off non-essential notifications, silencing your phone, or placing it out of reach. Log out of email and social media apps, even if just for an hour. These small acts of boundary-setting can help quiet the noise and create a mental buffer that allows you to dive more fully into your work.
If you mostly communicate virtually, don’t hesitate to switch your Slack or Microsoft Teams status to ‘Do Not Disturb’ for the hours you are in deep work. This simply indicates to others that you’ll be unavailable for a little while can protect your concentration and reduce the likelihood of unexpected interruptions. It’s not about isolating yourself—it’s about respecting your time, your energy, and the quality of the work you're trying to produce.
5. Explore project apps
In your quest for improved work productivity, staying organised, meeting deadlines, and keeping projects on track can feel like juggling a dozen things at once.
Luckily, you don’t have to do it all on your own. There’s a wide range of digital tools and software created specifically to support work productivity, reduce stress, and help you stay on top of your workload. From task managers and time-tracking apps like todolist and pomofocus to collaborative project platforms and digital calendars like Smartsheet, the right tools can make a real difference in how smoothly your day flows.
These tools are all about working smarter. They are designed to help you prioritise tasks, visualise your workload, set gentle reminders, and break large projects into manageable steps. No matter if you’re a solo worker trying to stay organised or part of a team navigating shared goals and deadlines, there’s likely a tool out there designed with your exact needs in mind.
What’s even better is that many of these tools are highly customisable, so you can tailor them to suit your working style. At the end of the day, work productivity isn’t about cramming more into your schedule—it’s about creating a system that supports your workflow and frees up your mental energy. So take advantage of what’s available. The right tool, used intentionally, can be a game-changer for both your efficiency and your well-being.
6. Break down big projects
Almost every job involves being part of a big project!
When faced with a big, complex project, it’s completely natural to feel intimidated when there are lots of moving parts. When you don’t know where to start, it’s easy to avoid starting at all. And the longer you delay, the more daunting the task begins to feel.
One of the most effective and compassionate ways to break that cycle is to break the project itself into smaller, more manageable steps. Think of it as breaking the puzzle into individual pieces. First you sort out the edges, then the colours of the middle section, and slowly start to piece it all together. When you divide the larger goal into bite-sized tasks—each with a clear, achievable action—you take away the fear factor.
And with each small milestone you complete, you gain momentum. That feeling of crossing a task off your list, however small, can give you a real sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence to keep going. Progress becomes visible, motivation grows, and the work no longer feels like a massive burden looming overhead.
So when you catch yourself stalling or feeling stuck, break it down! Ask yourself, “What’s one small thing I can do today to move this forward?” Starting small is necessary to setting the stage for meaningful progress.
7. Just say 'no'
Sometimes, no matter how organised or motivated you are, the truth is—you simply can’t take on one more thing. Not even a small one. Maybe you’re already juggling multiple deadlines, dealing with personal stress, or just running on empty. To improve your work productivity, sometimes you need to say ‘no’.
It can feel uncomfortable to say no, especially when you genuinely want to be helpful, dependable, and seen as a team player. Many of us fear that turning something down might make us look uncooperative or give the impression that we’re not pulling our weight. But the truth is, consistently saying yes when you’re already overwhelmed doesn’t make you a better employee, it makes you a likely candidate for burnout.
Giving yourself permission to say no isn’t selfish. It’s how you maintain the quality of your work and preserve your well-being. Because when you spread yourself too thin, everyone loses—your work productivity dips, your stress levels rise, and your sense of control over your workload disappears.
Setting boundaries is a sign of strength. It shows that you’re self-aware, that you take your commitments seriously, and that you’re committed to showing up fully for the things you’ve already said yes to. There’s a huge difference between being a team player and becoming a doormat.
The next time you’re asked to take on something new, pause and check in with yourself. Ask, “Do I have the capacity to do this well, without compromising myself or my other responsibilities?” If the answer is no, trust that it's okay to say so with honesty and professionalism. If you need to involve your manager, do so. They should be up to date on your workload and if they are not, ensure they have full visibility on your tasks and when you may be reaching the point of saying no, so they can back you if necessary.
8. Closely monitor your online reading habits
Staying focused online is harder than it looks and if you've ever gone from reading an industry report to checking Facebook to suddenly ending up in a rabbit hole of unrelated scrolling, you're definitely not alone.
Each click, each notification, each tempting link can momentarily hijack your brain's focus, making it harder to return to the task you were originally working on. And over time, this scattered attention can drain your energy, reduce your efficiency, and leave you feeling mentally foggy or unproductive, even after hours at your desk.
That’s why learning to manage your time online intentionally is so important. Start by setting clear intentions each time you go online. Ask yourself, “What am I here to do?” and stick to that purpose as best you can. You might also find it helpful to block distracting sites during deep work or schedule specific times in your day to check social media or browse casually—so those activities don’t bleed into your deep work time.
Creating digital discipline is a practice, not a one-time fix. It requires self-awareness, patience, and sometimes a bit of trial and error. But every step you take toward using your online time more mindfully brings you closer to a more productive, focused, and calm work experience.
9. Take care of your health
We often think of productivity as something that happens strictly during work hours but your ability to stay focused, motivated, and mentally sharp at work is deeply connected to how you take care of yourself outside the office.
Work productivity doesn’t start with your calendar or your task manager, it starts with your health. What you eat, how often you move, and how well you sleep all play a major role in how clearly you think, how steady your energy is, and how resilient you feel under stress. When even one of these areas is out of balance, it can throw off your entire rhythm.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet fuels your brain just as much as your body. Regular movement, even something as simple as a walk at lunch time can boost your mood, relieve tension, and increase circulation, helping you feel more awake and present. And adequate, consistent sleep? That’s your brain’s reset button. Without it, creativity, memory, and emotional regulation take a hit, making even simple tasks feel harder than they should.
Taking good care of yourself outside of work allows you to show up at work with clarity, energy, and a greater sense of ease. If you’re feeling unproductive or burned out, ask yourself: Have you eaten something nourishing? Moved your body today? Gotten enough rest lately?
10. Mitigate meeting mania
While meetings are meant to bring people together to align goals, solve problems, and move projects forward, routine meetings begin to lose their spark and purpose. What may have once been a useful check-in can slowly morph into a time-consuming obligation that adds little value to your day.
In a world where time is one of our most precious resources to work productivity, it's worth rethinking the meetings that fill up our calendars. Are they still serving a clear purpose? Are the right people in the room? Could the same information be shared in an email or a quick message? These are important questions to ask, not just to protect your own work productivity, but also to respect the time and focus of your colleagues.
This isn’t about being cold or cutting people off, it’s about creating space for deep work, clarity, and meaningful collaboration. It’s a gentle nudge toward more mindful communication: fewer meetings, but better ones.
Related: Could working overtime make you less productive?
11. Give yourself a break
It might sound counterintuitive, especially in a culture that often glorifies constant hustle, but taking regular breaks throughout your workday can actually help you get more done—not less. When you're caught up in the pressure to be constantly productive, it's easy to fall into the trap of pushing through mental fatigue, skipping lunch, or staying glued to your desk for hours. But the human brain isn’t designed for nonstop focus.
In fact, some of our best ideas and most creative solutions come not when we’re staring intently at the screen or grinding away at a problem, but when we give our minds a chance to breathe. Taking a walk, stepping outside for fresh air, or even just stretching and grabbing a coffee can reset your mental state and unlock fresh perspectives.
Instead of seeing breaks as something to earn only after you've hit a goal, try viewing them as a vital part of your work productivity strategy. Schedule them in. Honor them. Use them to reconnect with yourself, with others, or simply with the present moment.
Because sustainable productivity isn’t about sprinting all day, it’s about learning your rhythm, pacing yourself, and trusting that a well-rested mind is a much more powerful one.
12. Clean up your act
If you find yourself constantly losing time during the workday because you're digging through clutter, misplacing documents, or clicking through dozens of folders just to find a single file, this could be a sign you need to clean up your work environment. Disorganisation can quietly eat away at your work productivity and leave you feeling frustrated before you’ve even started the real work.
A clean workspace often leads to a clean mindset. When your environment feels cluttered, it’s harder to focus, prioritise, or feel in control of your tasks. Luckily, getting organised doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul overnight. One powerful first step is to dedicate a quiet morning to do a clean sweep of your space. Take a little time to sort, file, toss what’s no longer needed, and reset your workspace in a way that feels calm and efficient.
Once you’ve done that initial cleanup, staying organised becomes a lot more manageable. Build a daily habit of spending just 5 to 10 minutes at the end of your day tidying up like closing browser tabs, sorting files, putting things back in place. It’s a small investment of time that pays off in a big way.
You don’t have to be a “naturally organised” person to benefit from this—you just need a system that works for you, and a little consistency.
13. Recondition your email reflexes
Most of us are conditioned to check email the moment it arrives. Over time, it can start to feel like your inbox is running you instead of the other way around. Constantly responding to emails in real time may feel productive in the moment, but it often fragments your focus and makes it incredibly difficult to stay in flow with deeper, more meaningful work.
To improve work productivity, create intentional boundaries that allow you to reclaim control over your time and mental space. One simple yet powerful practice is to set specific times during the day to check your inbox—maybe once mid-morning, once after lunch, and again before you wrap up. During these windows, you can give your full attention to responding thoughtfully, prioritising messages, and clearing out clutter. Then, when you’re not in email mode, you’re free to fully immerse yourself in the work that requires deeper focus.
You might also find it helpful to disable email notifications altogether or use features like “Do Not Disturb” to reduce interruptions. If that feels like a big leap, start small—turn off alerts for an hour and see how much more grounded and focused you feel.
Remember, being accessible doesn't mean being constantly available. Your attention is one of your most valuable resources.
14. Bring in reinforcements
Sometimes, despite working hard, staying focused, and doing your absolute best, you may still find yourself struggling to keep up with rising demands.
When a team of capable, efficient professionals is consistently falling behind, it’s often a sign that the issue isn’t productivity, it’s headcount. Everyone has limits, and constantly operating at or beyond those limits can lead to burnout, declining morale, and even mistakes that impact the quality of work.
In situations like this, it is reasonable and necessary to raise the concern with leadership. Having an open, honest conversation with your superior about workload challenges shows responsibility and foresight. Rather than waiting for things to break down, you're being proactive about finding a sustainable solution.
One strategic, cost-effective option is to bring in temporary reinforcements. Hiring specialised professionals on a short-term or project basis allows your team to breathe, regain balance, and refocus on their core responsibilities. It can be especially helpful during peak seasons, tight project timelines, or periods of growth and transition. These professionals come with expertise, fresh perspectives, and the ability to jump in where needed without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire.
If workload is simply too heavy to carry with your existing team and is impacting work productivity, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Related: Find specialised and available contract workers with Robert Half
15. Reward yourself
When you reach a milestone, complete a big project, or simply push through a particularly challenging day, don’t just rush into the next task on your list. Acknowledge the effort you put in! Too often, we move from one goal to the next without truly recognising what we’ve accomplished. But celebrating your wins, no matter how big or small, is a vital part of staying motivated, resilient, and connected to your sense of purpose.
Treat yourself in a way that feels meaningful. The point isn’t what the reward is, it’s that you reward yourself. Celebrating success helps reinforce positive habits, builds self-trust, and reminds you that your hard work matters. It brings joy back into the process and helps you avoid burnout by breaking the cycle of relentless output without recognition.
What are employers doing to help your work productivity?
Employers understand that productivity if a top concern for workers, like it is a top concern for them too. They want to ensure their business is running with the best use of time and resources.
According to a Robert Hal study conducted in November 2024 among 500 businesses across Australia, employers have introduced a range of measures to improve work productivity, including ways to improve workforce capacity, workflows as well as work settings.
50% of employers have increased training/professional development opportunities
49% of employers have improved communication and feedback processes
48% of employers have optimised workflow management
43% of employers have implemented automation and digital transformation initiatives
42% of employers have hired contract workers
41% of employers have enforced tougher performance metrics
39% of employers have mandated in-office days
“The key takeaway from these measures is that one size doesn't fit all,” says Nicole Gorton, director at Robert Half and workplace expert.
“While some companies are resorting to tougher performance metrics and mandated in-office days, others are focusing on more holistic approaches like improved communication and workflow optimisation.”
“But one thing is clear, employers are doing what they can to improve work productivity in their business. Based on the actions above, business leaders need to think about how they can adopt a flexible approach that caters to the business needs while keeping their workforce motivated and engaged.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the meaning of work productivity?
Work productivity refers to the efficiency with which workers complete tasks and achieve goals within a given timeframe. It's about maximising output while minimising wasted effort and resources.
What is considered productivity at work?
Productivity at work is considered the efficiency of employees completing tasks within a given timeframe. It's measured by output quality and quantity, alongside factors like time management, resource utilisation, and contribution to overall organisational objectives.
How do you show productivity at work?
Productivity at work can be demonstrated by consistently meeting deadlines, efficiently managing tasks, proactively problem-solving, and contributing to team goals. Clear communication, organised workflows, and a focus on quality output also showcase work productivity.
